Holiday breaks
Victorian school holidays: family trips from Melbourne
The Victorian Government publishes school holidays from 21 December 2026 to 27 January 2027, with students returning on 28 January. The 2027 term dates also leave three shorter gaps; those windows are derived here from the published term end and start dates, not separately labelled by the source. The longer summer break offers more flexibility around a week away. Dates apply to Victorian government schools; independent schools, pupil-free days and exams may differ.
The example this page uses
- From
- Melbourne
- Travelling as
- Family · 4 people
- Trip length
- 7 days
- Month
- January
- Total budget
- AUD 14,000
- Currency
- AUD
The trip tool works by month, not exact holiday dates. Results are modelled estimates, not live fares. Change any value after opening it.
Official dates and scope
| School holidays: 21 Dec 2026 – 27 Jan 2027; students return 28 Jan | Victorian government schools. Independent schools may differ; check pupil-free days and exam commitments. |
| 2027 terms end 25 Mar, 25 Jun, 17 Sep; next terms start 12 Apr, 12 Jul, 4 Oct | Victorian government schools. Independent schools may differ; check pupil-free days and exam commitments. |
| Derived non-term windows: 26 Mar – 11 Apr, 26 Jun – 11 Jul, 18 Sep – 3 Oct 2027 | Victorian government schools. Independent schools may differ; check pupil-free days and exam commitments. |
Destinations that fit this example
Example: from Melbourne, 7 days, total budget AUD 14,000, January. Edit any of it in the trip tool.
- Kerala & GoaIndiaEstimated whole trip6,970–10,920 AUDWithin budget · Great in JanuaryOne of the strongest realistic options within your current budget and trip requirements. It covers beach and nature.
- Bali & LombokIndonesiaEstimated whole trip6,450–10,150 AUDWithin budget · Off-season in JanuaryOne of the strongest realistic options within your current budget and trip requirements. It covers beach and nature.
- VietnamVietnamEstimated whole trip7,100–11,100 AUDWithin budget · Fine in JanuaryOne of the strongest realistic options within your current budget and trip requirements. It covers nature.
- Samoa — Apia and UpoluSamoaEstimated whole trip6,000–9,500 AUDWithin budget · Off-season in JanuaryOne of the strongest realistic options within your current budget and trip requirements.
- Cook Islands — RarotongaCook IslandsEstimated whole trip7,100–11,200 AUDWithin budget · Off-season in JanuaryOne of the strongest realistic options within your current budget and trip requirements. It covers beach.
- New Caledonia - NouméaNew CaledoniaEstimated whole trip5,100–8,150 AUDWithin budget · Off-season in JanuaryOne of the strongest realistic options within your current budget and trip requirements.
What to weigh
- The example uses January inside the summer holidays; switch the month in the tool for an autumn, winter or spring term gap.
- The three mid-year windows are about two weeks each, so a seven-day trip has less room for travel days.
- The shortlist is ranked on modelled cost only; it does not filter by flight time, direct service, weather or entry rules. Check those yourself.
- The budget is an editable illustration in local currency for a family of four, not a typical, recommended or guaranteed amount.
Questions
- Do independent schools follow these dates?
- Not necessarily. The source covers Victorian government schools; check your school's own calendar.
- Are these live prices?
- No. They are modelled whole-trip estimates for the example inputs shown. Change the departure city, days, budget or party to recalculate.
Sources
- Victorian Government — School term dates and holidays — Victorian government schools. Independent schools may differ; check pupil-free days and exam commitments.
Checked 2026-10-13. Always confirm with your own school, employer or authority.
Related breaks
Photo credits
- Augustus Binu : flickr · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- LukeTriton · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Taewangkorea · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Costs are modelled estimates for the example inputs, not live holiday fares or exact-date availability. Calendar facts quote official sources for the scope stated; travel tips are editorial planning suggestions.